DIY design

"Mostly everything in our home is do-it-yourself," Burke says. "We put a lot of thought into making something old into something new," Gallagher says.

Most tenants don't make extensive renovations to a rented unit, but this engaged couple approaches home improvement like a hobby--their crib is an evolving piece of art. In the past year, they have spent about $600 and countless hours shaping their home into an expression of themselves.

"We did as much as we could do without knocking down walls," Burke says. "I can't wait to have my own house."

Crib quirk

A fire that struck before they moved in meant some major rehabbing. "If you notice, these floors were installed over the burnt ones, so they're a little higher than normal floors," Burke says.